Organisation profile

Sustainability has many facets. Inter- and transdisciplinary research and teaching characterize the School of Sustainability. Scientists in our research projects work together in the laboratory, on the heath, in the grassland, in the classroom, with the city administration, with farmers, with non-governmental organizations, with companies, with students in the lecture hall and of course at their desks.

Furthermore, we work with regional and national political actors, e.g. ministries, as well as international organizations, e.g. UNEP, UNESCO, EU. We are part of national and international bodies, e.g. sustainability advisory boards of companies, member of the German Sustainability Award, World Biodiversity Council (IPBES), in order to contribute to social change with scientific findings.

Main research areas

Vision
Sustainability science investigates on a theoretical, conceptual and empirical level how to promote sustainable development and how to find and implement effective solutions for current social and ecological challenges. The aim is to create a more sustainable future.

Sustainability researchers are called upon to take responsibility for their research, which is anchored in existing scientific knowledge and methods and serves to make the world a better place for everyone.

Mission
We promote change towards a sustainable future by developing theories, concepts and practices of inclusive education for sustainability, research, governance and management.

We acknowledge the diversity and dynamics of values, norms and behaviour and contribute with transdisciplinary methods to ensuring that tensions and differences between different disciplines, methods, topics and standards are fruitfully taken up and used with productive compromises and further developments towards sustainable development.

Principles
The School of Sustainability is guided by the normative concepts of ecological system integrity and social and economic justice.

Ecological system integrity refers to the safeguarding of life-support systems, as well as the maintenance of the well-being of life on Earth.

With social and economic justice we strive for a world in which all people can fulfil their potential without endangering system integrity and the well-being of others.

Information about the School
The School of Sustainability includes...
... ca. 25 professors
... ca. 100 research assistants
... ca. 1000 students in Bachelor and Master courses

In various inter- and transdisciplinary projects we are constantly researching and working together on changes and solutions for current challenges.

  1. 2020
  2. Published

    Economic evaluation of water supply systems operated with solar-driven electro-chlorination in rural regions in Nepal, Egypt and Tanzania

    Otter, P., Sattler, W., Grischek, T., Jaskolski, M., Mey, E., Ulmer, N., Grossmann, P., Matthias, F., Malakar, P., Goldmaier, A., Benz, F. & Ndumwa, C., 15.12.2020, In: Water Research. 187, 116384.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Unsustainability as a key source of epi- and pandemics: conclusions for sustainability and ecosystems accounting

    Schaltegger, S., 15.12.2020, In: Journal of Accounting and Organizational Change. 16, 4, p. 613-619 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Kompetenzentwicklung von Lehramtsstudierenden sichtbar machen: Professionalisierung für einen inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht

    Sellin, K., Brauns, S., Egger, D., Abels, S. & Barth, M., 14.12.2020, Sonderpädagogik und Bildungsforschung – Fremde Schwestern?. Grosche, M., Decristan, J., Urton, K., Jansen, N. C., Bruns, G. & Ehl, B. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt, p. 171-175 5 p. (Klinkhardt Forschung - Perspektiven sonderpädagogischer Forschung).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Sustainable Single-Stage Solid-Liquid Extraction of Hesperidin and Rutin from Agro-Products Using Cyrene

    Milescu, R. A., Segatto, M. L., Stahl, A., Mcelroy, C. R., Farmer, T. J., Clark, J. H. & Zuin, V. G., 14.12.2020, In: ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. 8, 49, p. 18245-18257 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Transformative education: towards a relational, justice-oriented approach to sustainability

    Walsh, Z., Böhme, J., Lavelle, B. D. & Wamsler, C., 11.12.2020, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 21, 7, p. 1587-1606 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Functional domains of business incubators for refugee entrepreneurs

    Harima, A., Freudenberg, J. & Halberstadt, J., 10.12.2020, In: Journal of Enterprising Communities. 14, 5, p. 687-711 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Going beyond certificates: A systematic review of alternative trade arrangements in the global food sector

    Rathgens, J., Gröschner, S. & von Wehrden, H., 10.12.2020, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 276, 11 p., 123208.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  9. Published

    The Protection of Foreign Investments in Disputed Maritime Areas

    Benatar, M. & Schatz, V. J., 08.12.2020, Investments in Conflict Zones : The Role of International Investment Law in Armed Conflicts, Disputed Territories, and ‘Frozen’ Conflicts . Ackermann, T. & Wuschka, S. (eds.). Leiden, Niederlande: Brill | Nijhoff, p. 176 - 208 33 p. (Nijhoff International Investment Law Series; vol. 15).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  10. Published

    Wir brauchen New Green Deals

    Kemfert, C., 02.12.2020, In: DIW Wochenbericht. 87, 49, p. 918 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  11. Published

    Applying the pathways to nature connectedness at a societal scale: a leverage points perspective

    Richardson, M., Dobson, J., Abson, D. J., Lumber, R., Hunt, A., Young, R. & Moorhouse, B., 01.12.2020, In: Ecosystems and People. 16, 1, p. 387-401 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review